An innocuous comment... and an enormous overreaction
“My concern is that the staff is seemingly able to work miracles when they would like to, but also will tell us over extended periods of time that the budget is all consuming. It just doesn’t necessarily ring completely honest to me.” These words were spoken by Council Member Tim Bohen at the March 3 council meeting. These words caused Council Member Mo Greene to wince; Mayor Joe Winfield to ask for an apology; and Council Member Steve Solomon to ask for censure to be added to this Wednesday night's town council agenda. You can and should listen to the entire discussion of this which took 2:41 seconds.
On the surface, Bohen’s remarks may seem accusatory to some. But, when you dig below the surface, as we have, you find a far different story. Indeed, you find justification for why Bohen said what he did.
The rest of the story... Where was the fire?
Bohen was questioning why town staff created a timeline for reopening the Pusch Ridge Golf Course within a week of council requesting it; when the same staff had insisted at the Feburary 17 council meeting that they wouldn’t be able to do to it for a month. Council heard their plea and agreed that the timeline was not needed until this Wednesday's meeting.
On the surface, Bohen’s remarks may seem accusatory to some. But, when you dig below the surface, as we have, you find a far different story. Indeed, you find justification for why Bohen said what he did.
The rest of the story... Where was the fire?
Bohen was questioning why town staff created a timeline for reopening the Pusch Ridge Golf Course within a week of council requesting it; when the same staff had insisted at the Feburary 17 council meeting that they wouldn’t be able to do to it for a month. Council heard their plea and agreed that the timeline was not needed until this Wednesday's meeting.
Indeed, staff so rushed the timeline that they told council that it was incomplete and not fully accurate.
What was staff motive for rushing the timetable to council when council had agreed to not hear it until this Wednesday's meeting. Why didn't staff wait the extra two weeks to get the timeline right? Where was the fire?
We too are curious about this because town staff explained an hour before Bohen's remark that they are far too busy until late summer to prepare and issue a Request For Proposal to lease the facility, something that Council Member Barrett had proffered as a resolution that night. The resolution was rejected 4-3.
Likely adding to Bohen's curiosity is the fact that staff is issuing a request for proposal to lease the town's tennis facilities.
It does seem reasonable to us to wonder why staff would rush to do one thing when they feel like it, the timeline in this instance, but not the other, the Pusch View Golf Lease Request for Proposal.
Much to do about nothing
As you listen to the three minute discussion, you find Mayor Winfield reading council Code of Conduct Policy 2. This code together with Town Council Parliamentary Rules and Procedures 13.4 (Political System) and 13.6 (Respect) are the potential basis for the censure. We've included two panels that present these codes.
It does seem reasonable to us to wonder why staff would rush to do one thing when they feel like it, the timeline in this instance, but not the other, the Pusch View Golf Lease Request for Proposal.
As you listen to the three minute discussion, you find Mayor Winfield reading council Code of Conduct Policy 2. This code together with Town Council Parliamentary Rules and Procedures 13.4 (Political System) and 13.6 (Respect) are the potential basis for the censure. We've included two panels that present these codes.
These are behavioral codes. They are subject to judgment. There are two questions one should ask. First: When does questioning motive, as Bohen did, become a "behavioral code violation"? Second: If you think it is a violation, was that violation so severe as to justify censure?
Bohen did not think so at the meeting of March 3. When asked to apologize by Mayor Winfield, Bohen said: "Mr. Mayor. I am not going to apologize. As I recall last week, staff volunteered to do this in two weeks. There was no request from the council that this needed to be done by this time.” In other words, putting together the timeline quickly was something they chose to do because they wanted to. However, it is apparent that they were not nearly as enthusiastic to create an RFP for leasing the Pusch Ridge Golf Course.
Solomon accusing anyone of incivility is patently ridiculous
Council Member Solomon has always been the most egregious and unlikeable individual on council. We have reported his many insulting and disparaging remarks over the years. A video we included in an article from January of last year is an example. Watch him "blow up" at Council Member Jones-Ivey.
Solomon asking that a censure discussion take place on anyone is patently ridiculous. If there is anyone who should be sanctioned by the town council it is him.
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Publisher's Note: The Mayor's authorities are detailed in town codes. The Mayor does not have the legal authority to request that a fellow council member apologize. It's in the Mayor's job description.
